Georgia Receives Disaster Declaration for 23 more Counties

(ATLANTA) - The State of Georgia received a Federal Disaster Declaration today for 23 additional counties that Governor Sonny Perdue requested aid for following severe thunderstorms and flooding that hit Georgia on March 26, 2009, and continued for several weeks.

The Federal Disaster Declaration follows one issued for 27 counties on April 23.

"Severe spring storms caused damage across our state, and the addition of these counties to the federal disaster declaration means assistance will be available in the areas where it is most needed, enabling us to continue to move forward with our recovery efforts," says Governor Perdue.

This means that federal assistance is now available to 23 other counties in addition to the original declaration of 27 counties, bringing the total number to 50. This list now includes Brooks, Calhoun, Cook, Crisp, Decatur, Dodge, Dougherty, Irwin, Jeff Davis, Lanier, Miller, Monroe, Pulaski, Tattnall, Telfair, Thomas, Tift, Turner, Upson, Wayne, Wheeler, Wilcox and Worth counties.

"This is the good news for 23 more counties in Georgia, many of which are suffering budget challenges," says Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) Director Charley English. "This federal assistance will enable them to recover and rebuild faster."

The 23 counties will receive public assistance. This means that federal funding is available to local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities. The federal declaration also means that affected counties can apply to be part of a Hazard Mitigation Grant program.

Governor Perdue made the request for a federal declaration after touring the areas and reviewing preliminary damage assessment figures.